If you are over 16, in paid employment, and hearing loss is affecting your work, you could be eligible for Access to Work.

What is Access to Work?

Do you experience hearing loss or suffer from tinnitus that makes your work difficult? Access to Work may be able to cover the cost of equipment that can support you to do your job. It does not need to be paid back and will not affect any other benefits.

Access to Work is a government scheme administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) designed to support individuals with mental or physical health conditions in the workplace. This could include a grant that helps pay for practical support in the workplace, beyond the reasonable adjustments your employer is legally required to make, to help you get into or stay in work.

Who is Eligible?

You are eligible to apply for Access to Work if:

You are in a paid job, about to start a job or going back to a job.

This includes full-time, part-time, temporary, casual, and self-employed work.

You are aged 16 or over and live in England, Scotland or Wales.

Northern Ireland has a separate scheme.

You are deaf, have a hearing loss, tinnitus or a balance condition that affects your ability to work.

You will be offered support based on your needs. Whilst you do not need a formal diagnosis, it is helpful to be able to describe how your condition is affecting you in the workplace.

Before Applying

Before you apply, it can be helpful to get a hearing assessment to help you better understand your hearing loss and receive a hearing report. A hearing report can also strengthen your application by explaining your situation and what adjustments you might need so that you can get the most out of the support.

At Hear, we offer hearing assessments that will provide you with this information.

At Hear, we offer hearing assessments that will provide you with this information.

Full Hearing Assessment (1.5-2hr appointment)
- A comprehensive assessment for a detailed understanding of your hearing capabilities and discussion of tailor-made solutions
- Cost £95

Workplace Audiometry Assessment or GP/ENT referral (60-minute appointment)
- For those needing thorough and accurate hearing test results and report for employment purposes
- Cost £100

Hear will provide a comprehensive hearing report, delivering insight and detail on your test results, along with recommendations for potential treatment plans. You can use this report when applying.

For more information on hearing assessments and to make an appointment, visit our Hearing Assessments page below.

More about Hearing Assessments

How to Apply

You can apply for Access to Work:

Online at GOV.UK *
By phone by calling the Access to Work helpline
- Telephone: 0800 121 7479
- Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 7479
- British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

When applying, you’ll need to give:

Your contact details and National Insurance number
Your workplace details: Address and postcode, details on your employer, and a workplace contact
If you are self-employed, your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number
Information about your hearing condition, how it affects your work, and what support you think you’ll need

*If you need the form in other formats, call the Access to Work helpline.

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